Door lock with push action control

ABSTRACT

A door lock set incorporating a conventionally operating rotating knob, normally incorporating a key-actuated lock, for allowing limited passage through the door from the knob side thereof. Control of the door lock set from the other side is effected through a mounted camming plunger which can effect a retraction of the latchbolt through a simple push action, having an elongated panic bar attached thereto, or a push or rotating action of the plunger, the plunger in this instance mounting a knob thereon for the control thereof.

United States Patent Rollins 51 Jan. 25, 1972 1 DOOR LOCK WITHPUSH'ACTION CONTROL Henry W. Rollins, 65 Burley St., Waterville, Maine 04901 [22] Filed: Dec. 30, 1969 [21] Appl.No.: 9,267

[72] Inventor:

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 606,796, Jan. 3,

1967, Pat. No. 3,490,803.

[S2] U.S. CL. ..70/92, 292/169.21, 292/170 [51] Int. Cl. E051: 63/16, EOSb 65/10, E05c 1/14 [58] Field of Search ..70/92, 146; 292/92, 170

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 618,708 1/1899 Merwin ..292/170 1,257,998 3/1918 timber ...292/17 Q 1,369,820 3/1921 Krizs .292/170 2,366,934 l/l945 Schlage ..70/l47 F ORElGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 153,680 3/1956 Sweden ..292/170 Primary Examiner-Albert G. Craig, Jr. AttorneyClarence A. OBrien and Harvey B. Jacobson [57] ABSTRACT A door lock set incorporating a conventionally operating rotating knob, normally incorporating a key-actuated lock, for allowing limited passage through the door from the knob side thereof. Control of the door lock set from the other side is effected through a mounted camming plunger which can effect a retraction of the latchbolt through a simple push action, having an elongated panic bar attached thereto, or a push or rotating action of the plunger, the plunger in this instance mounting a knob thereon for the control thereof.

8 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures mmmmasm 3.636.740

SHEET 1 [1F 2 Henry W Rollins IN VENTOK.

PATENTEU JANZSIBYZ SHEET 2 BF 2 DOOR LOCK WITH PUSH ACTION CONTROL This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. .No. 606,796, filed Jan. 3, 1967 for Door Lock Construction, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,490,803, issued Jan. 20, 1970.

The instant invention relates to new and useful improvements in door locks, and is more specifically concerned with a door lock construction utilizing an adaptation of a modern cylinder lock so as to achieve a lock incorporating a conventional control on one side thereof and a unique emergency control for the other side thereof.

It is a primary object of the instant invention to provide a door lock set particularly, although not exclusively, adapted for use on emergency exits or the like wherein free movement through a door in one direction is required in conjunction with limited access through the door in the other direction. The free access through the door in the first direction is effected by the provision of actuating means on the door lock set which react, in one instance, through a mere push on a panic bar or the like, and in another instance through either a push on or a rotation of a knoblike member, the primary factor being that the exertion of any force on the lock set control will effect an automatic disengagement of the door latch.

It is significant that a lock operable in the above manner has i been achieved through the utilization of a cylinder lock modified so as to incorporate and be operated, from one side thereof, by a unique plunger adapted so as to effect a latchretracting control by a straight push thereon and/or a rotational operation thereof, the movement of the plunger being primarily controlled by the type of control member affixed thereto. It is contemplated that the operation of the lock set from the opposite side thereof from the plunger be effected by a conventional knob, normally key controlled, which operates the retracting operation through a rotatable spindle.

These together with other object and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a panic bar installation utilizing the lock set of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cros-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 33 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional detail, generally similar to FIG. 2, illustrating the panic bar controlled plunger in its inwardly moved latch-retracting position;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the plunger;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating a variation wherein the plunger mounts and is controlled by a knob;

FIG. 7 is a crow-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 7-7 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view generally similar to FIG. 7 wherein the plunger is illustrated in its rotated latch retracting position; and

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the plunger and handle or control means therefor.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, reference numeral 10 is used to generally designate a door lock constructed in accordance with the instant invention. The lock 10 includes a latch unit 12 which comprises a cylindrical housing 14 closed on the forward end thereof by a latch faceplate 16 through which an internally received latchbolt 18 projects vfor engagement within the jamb recess 20. A relatively narrow concentric elongated latch bar 22 is fixed to and extends rearwardly from the latchbolt 18 through a reduced opening provided in the inner end of the latch housing 14, the latch bar 22 terminating in a pair of laterally directed ears 24. The latch bolt 18 is biased forwardly for projection of the forward beveled end thereof through the faceplate 16 by an enlarged coiled compression spring 26 positioned within the housing 14 about the latch bar 22 and having the opposite ends thereof engaged with the inner end of the latchbolt l8 and the closed end of the housing 14. An appropriate shoulder or offset 28 on the latchbolt 18 limits its projection through the faceplate 16 in an obvious manner. Finally, a pair of laterally directed prongs 30, fixed to the housing 14, project rearwardly from the housing 14 for engagement within a transverse opening 32 defined in the wall of the interior cylindrical latch housing 34.

The cylindrical housing 34 includes a hollow cylindrical body 36 having a completely open outside end 38 and an inside end including a reduced diameter hollow coaxial sleevelike extension 40 surrounded by a circular end wall 42. The aforementioned housing opening 32 which receives the latch unit prongs 30 opens through the end wall 42 with the oppositely outwardly directed prongs 30 sliding laterally past the end wall 42 for engagement within the cylindrical body 36. With the latch unit 12 thus secured to the cylindrical housing 34, the laterally directed latch bar ears 24 are located within the cylindrical enlarged body 36 of the housing 34 and are engaged by the inwardly directed end portions 43 of a pair of laterally spaced sidearrns 44 on the latch retractor 46. The retractor 46 is in turn slidably mounted within the housing 44 in longitudinal alignment with the latchbolt 18 for efiecting a selective retraction thereof. The latch retractor 46 includes, in addition to the sidearrns 44, a pair of inwardly directed abutment shoulders 48 at approximately midway along the arms 48, the forward faces of the shoulders receiving and reacting to the camming portions of the knob-controlled elements as shall be described subsequently. The rear faces of the two shoulder portions 48 receive, through an appropriate spring seat, one end of a pair of coiled biasing compression springs 50. These springs extend from the rear faces of the shoulder portions 48 into engagement against a pair of inwardly directed cars 52 on a hub frame 54 which centers and slidably mounts the latch retractor 46 within the cylindrical housing 34. With the springs 50 so orientated, it will be appreciated that the latch retractor 46 is biased forwardly so as to enable a projection of the latchbolt 18 beyond the latch faceplate 16, the latch spring 26 further insuring a proper projection of the latchbolt 18 in a retractable manner.

The above detailed construction, normally present in a conventional door lock set, operates in response to the introduction of a camming force on either one or the other of the retractor shoulders 48 so as to move the retractor 46 against the biasing force of the springs 50 and hence effect a retraction of the latchbolt l8. Normally, a pair of aligned spaced knob mounting spindles are provided for a manipulation of the lock from the opposite sides of a door, each spindle being independently operable and capable of engaging against the retractor shoulders 48 through a rotation of the corresponding knob. The present invention contemplates the utilization of one such conventional spindle 56 which mounts and is controlled by a key-controlled knob 58. The use of a key-controlled knob on the spindle 56 is desirable so as to provide for a limited access door, requiring the use of a key to, as one ex ample, obtain entry to the interior of the building. The spindle 56, whether it mounts a plain or a key-controlled knob, is hollow and tubular in nature, including an inwardly projecting semicylindrical operating end portion 60 having oppositely curled camming edges 62 which seat on the opposed shoulders 48 and selectively exert a force thereon upon a rotation of the spindle 56 in either of two directions. The force exerted results in a retracting movement of the retractor and retraction of the latchbolt 18. In those situations wherein the knob 58 is key controlled, the actual locking and releasing of the spindle 56 is effected through movement of a locking lug 64 into and out of engagement with a locking recess 66 defined in an adjacent portion of the sidewall of the hub. Nonnally, this construction, aside possibly from the key unit, would be duplicated on the interior of the door so as to enable a knobcontrolled exit through a rotation of the interior knob. However, inasmuch as the instant invention contemplates a pushtype release on the interior of the door, a camming plunger 68 is utilized. This plunger 68 is mounted in longitudinal alignment with the spindle 56 and is capable of independent operation relative thereto, while at the same time allowing independent operation of the spindle 56 inthe normal manner. The actuating plunger is fixed, as by bolt means 70, to the free end of an elongated panic bar or the like 72, the opposite end of which is fixed to the inner face of the door, the bar itself incorporating a sufl'rcient degree of flexibility so as to enable an inward pushing of the plunger 68 and actuation of the lock mechanism thereby as shall be explained presently. The plunger 68 includes a generally solid cylindrical body terminating in a beveled leading face 74 which seats on and cammingly engages against the camming shoulders 48 of the latch retractor 46 upon an inward movement of the plunger 68 through a push on the bar 72. The relationship between the inner end of the plunger 68 and the inner end of the spindle 56 is such so as to allow for inward movement of the plunger 68 a sufficient distance so as to achieve the desired retracting movement of the retractor 46. The manner in which the actual retractingmovement of the retractor is efiected will be readily appreciated from a comparison of FIGS. 2 and 4, the springloaded retractor 46 riding inwardly against the biasing force of the springs 50 upon an advance of the plunger camming face 74 which seats on both shoulders 48. Further, if deemed desirable or necessary, an elongated guide pin 76 can be mounted longitudinally within the plunger 68, projecting forwardly therefrom into guiding reception within the hollow interior of opposed spindle 56 or keyway unit therein. This guide pin 76 can be secured to the plunger 68 in any suitable manner, such as by setscrew means 78.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that amodem cylinder lock set has, through a removal of the inner knob and associated spindle, and the substitution of the plunger 68 therefor, been simply, economically and effectively converted to a lock set particularly adapted for emergency'exits of the type normally provided with a panic bar 72. This conversion has required no extensive or expensive modification of the internal operating mechanisms of the lock set, notwithstanding the converting of a rotatably controlled lock set to a lock set operable inresponse to a push action from one side thereof. The return of the plunger 68, upon a release of pressure on the panic bar 72, will be easily effected both because of the inherent resiliency in the bar 72 itself and through the force exerted by the internal springs within the lock set.

In thoseinstances wherein operation of the lock set from the inner side of the door by both a push action and a rotation action is desired, and/or the appearance of a conventional knob as opposed to a panic bar is deemed desirable, a conventional appearing knob 80 can be utilized. Such an embodiment is denoted in FIGS. 6 through 9. ,The knob 80 is affixed to a short cylindrical spindle section 82 which is in turn fixed to the slightly reduced diameter outer end portion 84 of a modified plunger 86 through a cylindrical sleeve 88. The sleeve 88, which may be solid or split, is wedge fitted over the reduced diameter end portion 84 of the plunger 86 and wedge fitted within the inner end of the spindle section 82 as will be readily appreciated from FIG. 6.

The plunger 86 itself, in addition to the reduced diameter rear portion 84, includes a generally solid cylindrical bodyterminating in a beveled leading face 90 and an integral outwardly projecting peripheral collar 92 located between the beveled leading face 90 and the reduced rear mounting portion 84. The remaining components of the lock set of FIGS. 6-9 substantially duplicate the components of the lock set of FIGS. 1-4 and the same reference numerals have been utilized.

One modification which occurs is the provision of an intumed flange 94 on the outer end of the sleevelike extension 40. This flange 94, as will be appreciated from FIG. 6, engages against the plunger collar 92 and constitutes a limit to the outward movement of the plunger 86, while allowing for a free inward and/or rotational movement thereof in response to manipulation of the knob 80.

The inner end portion of the beveled leading face 90 of the plunger 86, noting FIGS. 6 and 7, seats on the camming shoulders 48 of the latch retractor 46 so as to exert a camming force thereon through both a longitudinal inward movement and a rotational movement. The push operation of the embodiment of FIGS. 6-9 is eflected in the same manner as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5. That is, upon an inward push on the knob 80, the plunger camming face 90 will effect a retraction of the retractor and latchbolt 18 against the biasing force of the associated springs until the latchbolt is disengaged from the jarnb opening. Upon release of the longitudinal pressure on the knob 80, the internal springs within the lock set will return the retractor, latchbolt and knob to their initial position. In addition, inasmuch as a rotatable control, for example the knob 80, is used, as opposed to a fixed latch bar 72, a rotation of the plunger 86 can be effected. This rotationof the plunger 86, comparing FIGS. 7 and 8, enables an operation of one or the other of the side edges 96 of the leading portion of the beveled camming face 90, depending upon the direction of rotation of the knob 80, to cam or force the retractor inwardly and effect a corresponding retraction of the latchbolt 18.

The edges 96 of the plunger 86 thus act on the retractor 46 in the same manner as the curled camming edges 62 of the conventional spindle associated with the knob 58 provided on the other side of the lock set. The rotated knob and plunger 86 will, upon release thereof, be automatically returned to their rest position through the action of the internal biasing springs 26 and 50. It will of course be appreciated that the plunger 86, with the collar 92 thereon engaged against the positioning flange 90, is so orientated as to position the leading end portion of the beveled face against the opposed retractor shoulders 48 and thus be in position for a direct operation of the retractor 46 upon manipulation of the knob 80 through either a push thereon or a rotation thereof. Incidently, it should also be appreciated that a combined rotating and pushing action will likewise effect a positive retraction of the latchbolt 18. The relationship between the inner end of the plunger 86 and the inner end of the spindle associated with the conventional knob 58 on the opposite side of the lock is of course such so as to allow for the desired inward movement of the plunger a sufficient distance so as to achieve the retracting movement of the retractor 66. Further, if desired, an elongated guide pin 98, similar to the aforedescribed pin 76, can also be provided in forwardly projecting orientation of the plunger 86.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the embodiment of FIGS. 6-9 incorporates all of the advantages of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 in addition to the further advantages of giving the appearance of a conventional door lock set and being operable by a rotation of the push" knob, also in the manner of a conventional door lockset, whereby an additional safety factor is derived. In this embodiment, a conventional door lock set has been modified in a unique, simple and economical manner so as achieve a significantly improved operation. The modifications, with regard to both embodiments of the invention, are particularly significant in door lock sets for exterior doors wherein free exiting through the door is desired in conjunction with limited access inwardly through the door in that the instant invention enables the retention of the key-controlled knob construction of a conventional lock while modifying the opposed knob so as to change the operation thereof from strictly a rotational control to a push control alone or in conjunction with a rotational control. This is effected primarily through the substitution of a uniquely formed plunger, having a beveled camming face on the inner end thereof, for the conventionally supplied spindle. Incidently, while the plunger has been illustrated as being asolid member, this member can under some circumstances be hollow as long as the beveled face is retained with the opposed edges thereof so orientated as to engage on the retractor shoulders 48 whereby both a longitudinal and a rotational manipulation thereof will effect a corresponding movement of the retractor and latch bolt.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be restored to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. Lock construction comprising a housing, a latchbolt mounted for selective extension and retraction relative to said housing, a latch retractor mounted within said housing, said retractor including forwardly directed arm means, said arm means including a forward portion affixed to the inner end portion of said latchbolt for a selective movement thereof, and shoulder means extending generally transversely relative to said arm means rearward of said latchbolt, means resiliently biasing said retractor and attached latchbolt forwardly toward the extended position of said latchbolt, and retractor actuating means mounted within said housing transversely of said shoulder means and immediately forward thereof, said actuating means being mounted for longitudinal reciprocation transversely across said shoulder means, said actuating means incorporating a camming surface engageable with said shoulder means for a progressive retraction thereof upon an inward movement of said actuating means relative to said housing and shoulder means, said actuating means including a second portion rotatably mounted independently of said first-mentioned portion, means for rotating said second portion, said second portion including a pair of opposed camming edges forcibly engageable with said shoulder means in a manner so as to effeet a movement of said retractor upon rotation of said second portion.

2. A door lock construction comprising a housing, a latchbolt selectively extensible and retractable relative to said housing, retractor means mounted within said housing and operatively engaged with said latchbolt, said retractor means being longitudinally movable within said housing in the direction of movement of said latchbolt for effecting the selective extension and retraction of the latchbolt, and actuating means for said retractor means mounted within said housing and engageable with said retractonmeans, means mounting at least a portion of said actuating means within said housing for longitudinal movement transversely across the path of movement of said retractor means, camming means on said portion of said actuating means operably engageable with said retractor means upon a longitudinal movement of said portion for a cam-produced movement of said retractor means, means mounting at least a portion of said actuating means for rotational movement generally about its longitudinal axis, and camming means on said last-mentioned portion selectively engageable with said retractor means upon a rotation thereof for effecting a cam-produced movement of said retractor means, said two actuating means portions being independent of each other and independently operable.

3. The construction of claim 2 including a key-controlled knob engaged with and operatively controlling said last-mentioned portion, and a push bar afiixed to and operatively controlling said first-mentioned portion.

4. The construction of claim 2 wherein said first-mentioned actuating means portion is mounted for rotational movement about its longitudinal axis, the camming means on said firstmentioned portion being operatively engageable with said retractor means upon a rotation of said first-mentioned portion for effecting a movement of said retractor means upon a rotation of said first-mentioned portion.

5. The construction of claim 4 including knob means engaged with and operatively controlling said two actuating means portions.

6. The construction of claim 2 wherein said two actuating means portions are located in spaced longitudinally aligned orientation relative to each other.

7. The construction of claim 4 including means limiting the outward movement of the first-mentioned actuating means portion relative to said housing.

8. The construction of claim 2 wherein said first-mentioned actuating means portion includes a cylindrical body having a beveled inner end thereon defining said camming means on said first-mentioned portion. 

1. Lock construction comprising a housing, a latchbolt mounted for selective extension and retraction relative to said housing, a latch retractor mounted within said housing, said retractor including forwardly directed arm means, said arm means including a forward portion affixed to the inner end portion of said latchbolt for a selective movement thereof, and shoulder means extending generally transversely relative to said arm means rearward of said latchbolt, means resiliently biasing said retractor and attached latchbolt forwardly toward the extended position of said latchbolt, and retractor actuating means mounted within said housing transversely of said shoulder means and immediately forward thereof, said actuating means being mounted for longitudinal reciprocation transversely across said shoulder means, said actuating means incorporating a camming surface engageable with said shoulder means for a progressive retraction thereof upon an inward movement of said actuating means relative to said housing and shoulder means, said actuating means including a second portion rotatably mounted independently of said first-mentioned portion, means for rotating said second portion, said second portion including a pair of opposed camming edges forcibly engageable with said shoulder means in a manner so as to effect a movement of said retractor upon rotation of said second portion.
 2. A door lock construction comprising a housing, a latchbolt selectively extensible and retractable relative to said housing, retractor means mounted within said housing and operatively engaged with said latchbolt, said retractor means being longitudinally movable within said housing in the direction of movement of said latchbolt for effecting the selective extension and retraction of the latchbolt, and actuating means for said retractor means mounted within said housing and engageable with said retractor means, means mounting at least a portion of said actuating means within said housing for longitudinal movement transversely across the path of movement of said retractor means, camming means on said portion of said actuating means operably engageable with said retractor means upon a longitudinal movement of said portion for a cam-produced movement of said retractor means, means mounting at least a portion of said actuating means for rotational movement generally about its longitudinal axis, and camming means on said last-mentioned portion selectively engageable with said retractor means upon a rotation thereof for effecting a cam-produced movement of said retractor means, said two actuating means portions being independent of each other and independently operable.
 3. The construction of claim 2 including a key-controlled knob engaged with and operatively controlling said last-mentioned portion, and a push bar affixed to and operatively controlling said first-mentioned portion.
 4. The construction of claim 2 wherein said first-mentioned actuating means portion is mounted for rotational movement about its longitudinal axis, the camming means on said first-mentioned portion being operatively engageable with said retractor means upon a rotation of said first-mentioned portion for effecting a movement of said retractor means upon a rotation of said first-mentioned portion.
 5. The construction of claim 4 including knob means engaged with and operatively controlling said two actuating means portions.
 6. The construction of claim 2 wherein said two actuating means portions are located in spaced longitudinally aligned orientation relative to each other.
 7. The construction of claim 4 including means limiting the outward movement of the first-mentioned actuating means portion relative to said housing.
 8. The construction of claim 2 wherein said first-mentioned actuating means portion includes a cylindrical body having a beveled inner end thereon defining said camming means on said first-mentioned portion. 